5 Things You Need to Know About Lasik Eye Surgery Risks

1. LASIK Eye Surgery Risks Include Undercorrections and Overcorrections

LASIK eye surgery, which is a cosmetic surgery, corrects vision problems such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. However, the operation occasionally doesn't completely correct vision problems. Undercorrection during a refractive surgery like LASIK can occur with patients who suffer from nearsightedness. This happens when the surgeon doesn't remove enough tissue from the eye during the procedure. Your doctor can fix this with enhancement surgery. Overcorrections, on the other hand, are harder to fix. Overcorrection occurs when the doctor removes too much tissue.

2. Vision Problems Pose Another Risk of LASIK Eye Surgery

Eyes see differently at night. LASIK eye surgery may leave patients with blurred night vision. Patients may see glares, halos or experience double vision. Doctors may be able to correct this condition with special eye drops. Other times, more surgery is necessary. LASIK surgery may correct distance vision in patients who suffer from presbyopia (age-related loss of close-up focusing), but it can make seeing objects at a close range more difficult. An eye doctor may prescribe contact lenses before trying LASIK surgery for patients with presbyopia.

3. Astigmatisms Pose Another LASIK Eye Surgery Risk

Astigmatism occurs when the corneas unevenly curve. LASIK surgery can cause astigmatism with uneven removal of tissue. This can happen if an eye moves too much during surgery. A second surgery may be required to address astigmatism.

4. Dry Eyes May Result From LASIK Eye Surgery

Dry eyes might sound like more of an inconvenience than a problem. However, the condition can lead to serious problems. Some patients experience dry eyes for about 6 months following surgery. If your eyes become too dry, your doctor may prescribe drops. Or more drastically, he may plug your tear ducts to keep your tears from draining away.

5. Infections From LASIK Eye Surgery Pose Some Dangers

Like all cosmetic surgery procedures, LASIK surgery candidates risk infection. During LASIK surgery, doctors create a flap on the cornea of the eye with a small blade or laser. The flap is folded back and an excimer laser vaporizers part of the stroma (the cornea's midsection), which is what causes many eye problems. Doctors then replace the cornea flap. Sometimes the flap will grow back abnormally, causing vision problems. Infection also may occur, accompanied by tearing and swelling of the cornea flap. This can lead to permanent vision loss.